The Grenada sentinel., 1887-03-26


ago, and the pages are glued together
now. 1t is remarkable, but that |
wretched mucilage utterly refused to |
stick to anything else; that is striking
example of the total depravity Of |
inanimate things. There is beauti- |
full set of the Handy Volume edition
in Mr.. Brereton's window, and the
price is only $40. 1t might as well
be hundred dollars, however, for all
the good it is likely to do me-" and
Kittie ended with a disconsolate sigh.
Edith looked sober. 1t was so strange
not to be able to give just what one
wished to give to friend. She re-
membered that on her fathers last
birthday she had given him an illus
trated book of foreign travels which
had cost twice as much as would the
coveted set of Shakespeare. Even then,
a ten-dollar bill was lying in her pocket
book, which she would willingly have
given to herpcnniless friend, had Kittie
been less proud and independent. AS
it was, she dared not offer her any
money, and sat for some minutes in
silent perplexity, twining Kittie's curls
around her finger, and occasionally
giving them a gentle little pull.
"Dearic, it is too bad" she said at
last, with such heartfelt sympathy in
her voice that Kitty felt somewhat COM
fortcd. "Why don't you paint him an
Easter card, Kittie? You can make
such beautiful ones;' and she glanced
admirngly at dainty card on her
bureau, which Kittie had given her at
Christmas. But Kittie shook her head
energetically. "Don't suggest such a
thing, I implore you. What have |
given any one for the last three years
but cards? Fred has informed me,
with brothers delightful frankness,
that he did not believe there was room
in the house for another card, and if |
would as lief he would rauch prefer that
hereafter I give him something else.
"But you do make such lovely ones,
persisted Edith. "Mr. Brereton hasn't
any that will compare with those
which you have given me. Twas in
his store the other day buying some
paper, when Mrs. Ainsworth came in
to look at some Easter cards. She told
him that she wanted to see some Of his
handsomest ones; she wouldn't take
any that he showed her, but l am sure
that even she would have been salts
fed with yours?'
Kittie smiled incredulously. She
knew that Edith was inclined to re-
gard her work as perfect, but Kittie's
brothers were accustomed to criticise
her artistic attempts, and their COM
ments were so severe that her temper
was often tried to the utmost. That
Edith.was really more competent judge
than they, did not once occur to her,
for she was singularly destitute of all
self-conceit.
Suddenly Edith sprang up from her
place and looked down at Kittie with
unusual animation. "Katharine, l
have an idea! No, don't arch your eye
brows as if you were surprised at the
fact; that expression is not at all be-
coming to you. Perhaps, though y
she continued more slowly, you'll not
like my idea after all. 1t was simply
this: Mrs. Ainsworth seemed so disap-
pointed at not finding any cards that l
thought you might offer to paint some
for her. She could not help liking
yours
Kittie sprang from her chair, flushed
and excited. Edith, do you honesty
think that could make some which
would suit her? Iwould be glad to dc
it! Mr.. Brereton really has no pretty
ones at all, i have seen them; but
wouldn't she think me very presumings
Ihardly know her."
Never mind that said Edith with
a sagacious little nod. "Tll do the talk,
ing for you because I am somewhat
acquainted with Mrs. Ainsworth. DC
YOU want to see her to-day.
Eyes indeed / do; if l wait, | shall
not have the courage to 60 at all Can
you go nowP"
"Yes," assented Edith, and the two
girls were soon equipped for the walk
Edith carrying along the pretty Chr St
mas card. "tThis is your letter of in
PRODUCTION, Kittie," she said merrily
Mrs. Ainsworth had lived in the town
only few months, and was still 1
comparative stranger to most OF tht
younger people. Yet her face was Sc
sweet and attractive that the girls fell
sure of a pleasant call, even if they
should not be successful on theil
errand, .
ayes, Mrs. Ainsworth was at home.
the neat servant girl said, and led the
way to the handsome library, wher'
the lady was seated. Her greeting K
Edith was very cordial, and nearly hal
an hour passed in such pleasant con
versation that Edith forgot how anx.
ious Kttie must be to know her fate
At last, encountering an appealing
glance from the dark eyes, she determ
ined to speak at once. but it was no
such an easy task as she had imagined
| it to be. Before she could quite de